The park is open from 8 am to sunset the Saturday of Memorial Day to Labor Day, the office is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. Access for fishing is permitted at any time. Areas where the public can drive into are open all year round.

PETS:

Pets on a leash are permitted in the park. They are not allowed inside buildings, including the fort, or on the fishing pier.

VOLUNTEERS WANTED!

The Fort Trumbull staff are actively seeking volunteers. Friendly, outgoing people who enjoy working with the public and have an interest in history and knowledge of the area are urged to apply. Please contact the park for information.

Get an interactive history lesson at the visitor's center, or just walk the Fort and ramparts for a view of the Thames River, a visit to Fort Trumbull has something for everyone including a boardwalk and fishing pier.

Spectacular fishing opportunities abound with a one-of-a-kind fishing pier boasting over 500' of shore-based access to the major game fish of Long Island Sound. Saltwater anglers will find a unique combination of sport fish including striped bass, bluefish, weakfish and tautog as they feed on the variety of bait fish found at the mouth of the Thames River. In addition to 24-hour access, the pier offers bright lighting and individual pole holders for angler comfort; year-round restrooms and fresh running water

The FortBuilt from 1839 - 1852, the fortification is one of a group of 42 forts which were constructed for the defense of the coast of the United States, and for defense of the harbors they guarded. This group of forts became known as the Third System of Fortifications. Fort Trumbull is unique in the "Third System" because of the Egyptian Revival features incorporated in the architectural design. The Fort is a wonderful example of its era, a masterpiece in stonework and masonry. The Fort contains informative markers and displays, a touchable cannon and artillery crew display, and gun emplacements. The fort interior features 19th Century restored living quarters, a mock laboratory, and a 1950's era office furnished to resemble a research and development lab at the facility. The public also has access to the ramparts for a spectacular view of the New London Harbor.

Fort Hours:The Fort is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm from May 21 through Labor Day. The Fort is closed between Labor Day and Memorial Day Weekend.

Visitor Center {Fort Trumbull Visitor Center} The Center contains state of the art multimedia theaters, computer touch screen interactive exhibits, 3-D models, and extensive graphics and text panels. This one of a kind center depicts over 225 years of military history and technological advances from the Revolutionary War to the Cold War. Some of the main themes of the Visitor Center are the September 6, 1781 attack by the British under the command of Benedict Arnold, the U-boat menace during World War II, and the anti-submarine efforts during the Cold War.

Visitor Center Hours:The Visitor Center will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm through Labor Day. The Center is closed between Labor Day and Memorial Day Weekend.

Directions

Northbound on I-95 Take Exit 83 (Downtown New London). Go straight at light onto Huntington Street. Take right onto Jay Street. Go straight onto Truman Street, then left onto Blinman Street. Follow Blinman Street to Howard Street and go straight onto Howard Street. Then make left onto Walbach Street and right onto East Street. Park entrance is on the left

Southbound on I-95 Take Exit 84S (Downtown New London). Merge onto Eugene O’Neill Drive. Follow Eugene O’Neill Drive and take left onto Tilley Street. Make right onto Bank Street and then left onto Howard Street. Follow Howard Street and make left onto Walbach Street, then right onto East Street. Park entrance is on the left

Fees

There are no fees for parking or visiting the park grounds. A per person charge applies for the Visitor Center exhibit area and Fort Tours.

Heritage PassportThe Heritage Passport allows the bearer to gain admittance to three facilities (Dinosaur, Fort Trumbull and Gillette Castle State Parks) for unlimited visitation until the end of the calendar year in which it was purchased. The Heritage Passport cost is $67.00 and will allow a family (2 adults and up to 4 children) unlimited admittance to these three facilities.The Heritage Passport can be purchased at any one of these three facilities.

Since Colonial times Fort Trumbull served as the location of various military forts, schools and research facilities for the United States Army, Coast Guard and Navy. The first Fort Trumbull was built to protect the New London Harbor from British attack and later served as part of the country’s coastal defense system. The masonry fort (the third) that stands today was constructed between 1839 and 1852.

{Fort Trumbull} Fort Trumbull State Park

In 1915 the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service merged with the U.S. Lifesaving Service to become the U.S. Coast Guard. Therefore the Revenue Cutter Service Academy at Fort Trumbull became the first U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and all U.S. Coast Guard training took place at Fort Trumbull.

By World War II Fort Trumbull had become home to the Coast Guard, the U. S. Maritime Service Officer Candidate School, and the Columbia University Division of War Research Underwater Sound Laboratory was established there.

In 1970 the Navy merged the Underwater Sound Laboratory at Fort Trumbull with the Underwater Weapons Research and Engineering Station, at Newport RI, forming the Naval Underwater Systems Center (NUSC).

In 1991 the Naval Underwater System Center in New London was renamed the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC).

Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park is a stop on the Thames River Heritage Park Water Taxi route. The Water Taxi offers an exciting, affordable, and fun trip across the Thames River between New London and Groton on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the summer, with special sunset tours, in season. The three taxi stops are at the New London City Pier, Fort Trumbull and Fort Griswold landings which bring excitement and endless photo opportunities. Information on the service is available on their website: Thames River Heritage Park Water Taxi